Whitfield County is the home of many Civil War sites and events, from the General Sherman's Atlanta Campaign to the "Great Locomotive Chase" (through the tunnel at Tunnel Hill, Ga).  Dalton II August 14-15, 1864 Principal Commanders : Confederate - Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler, Wheeler's cavalry force Union - Maj. Gen. James B. Steedman, District of Etowah Outcome: Union victory Location: Whitfield County Campaign: Atlanta Campaign (1864) Estimated Casualties: Unknown Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler and his cavalry raided into North Georgia to destroy the Western & Atlantic Railroad tracks and Confederate supplies. They approached Dalton in the late afternoon of August 14 and demanded the surrender of the garrison. The Union commander, Col. Bernard Laibolt, refused to surrender and fighting ensued. Greatly outnumbered, the Union garrison retiredto fortifications on Fort Hill outside the town where they successfully held out, although the attack continued until after midnight. Skirmishing continued throughout the night. Around 5:00 am, on the 15th, Wheeler retired and became engaged with relieving infantry and cavalry under Maj. Gen. James B. Steedman's (US) command. Eventually, Wheeler withdrew after inflicting only minor damage to the tracks and the supplies. This engagement was inconclusive, but since the Confederates withdrew, it may be termed a Union victory. Wheeler then rode into Tennessee where he destroyed tracks, but this raid did not prove to be significant enough to decrease General Sherman's (US) fighting capability. Return to History Page Return to Civil War Page Learn more about Whitfield County at ngeorgia.com You are Visitor free hit counters WWW www.whitfieldcountyga.com